The Rundown for Dec. 26, 2018

TRUMP PRESSES FOR BORDER MONEY… President Trump pressed his case for border-wall funding yesterday following a phone call session with U.S. service members. After speaking with units from all five branches of the armed forces, Trump told reporters the government shutdown won’t end until he gets $5 billion to build a wall on the along the southern border with Mexico. The standstill over the funding has prompted the government shutdown.

COALITION ATTACKS ISIS… The U.S.-led coalition in Syria announced yesterday that it attacked Islamic State targets in Syria over the week ending December 22. The attacks reportedly included airstrikes and “coordinated fires” against ISIS logistics facilities and staging areas. The coalition said its strikes “removed several hundred ISIS fighters from the battlefield” and hurt the group’s ability to fund terrorist activities.

SECOND DETAINED CHILD MIRANT DIES… An 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died early yesterday morning after earlier being detained by Border Patrol agents. The child became the second to die in Border Patrol custody. Authorities say the child was taken to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico, along with his father after revealing symptoms of illness.

GoFundMe REFUNDS DONATIONS FROM SCAM… GoFundMe has refunded more than $400,000 to 14,000 donors who were scammed into helping what they thought was a homeless veteran from Philadelphia. The people behind the scam, Johnny Bobbitt, Mark D’Amico and Katelyn McClure, face charges of theft by deception and conspiracy to commit theft of deception. Officials say they falsely claimed in a viral GoFundMe post in 2017 that Bobbitt, who is homeless gave his last $20 to McClure so she could get gas when stranded in Philadelphia. Bobbitt sued D’Amico and McClure in August, claiming they were using the GoFundMe money as their “personal piggy bank.”

PACIFIC STORM THREATENS POST-CHRISTMAS TRAVEL… A major Pacific storm is traveling east and could toughen post-Christmas travel. A low-pressure system that has been dropping rain in northern California could spread heavy rains and snow across the central plains by today. Thunderstorms and strong winds are also on the forecast.

ENTERTAINMENTHEIDI KLUM-TOM KAULITZ ENGAGED… Model and TV personality Heidi Klum has announced her engagement to Tokio Hotel lead singer Tom Kaulitz. The 54-year-old Klum and the 29-year-old Kaulitz made their first public appearance as a couple in May. Klum has four children from her nine-year marriage to singer Seal.

ACTOR STONEY WESTMORELAND CHARGED… Prosecutors in Salt Lake City have charged actor Stoney Westmoreland with six felony counts related to his alleged attempt to have sex with a 13-year-old boy. Authorities say the 48-year-old Westmoreland was using the dating app Grindr when he found a profile that appeared to be an underage boy but was actually operated by a police detective. The actor was arrested December 13, prompting his dismissal from his role as the grandfather of the teenage title character in the Disney show “Andi Mack.” Westmoreland’s other acting credits include the television shows “Scandal” and “Breaking Bad.”

L.A. Lakers 127 – GOLDEN STATE 101… The Lakers won in Oakland for the first time in 12 tries despite losing LeBron James to a groin injury in the third quarter. Ivaca Zubac had 18 points and 10 rebounds. L.A. had six other players score in double figures.

UTAH 117 – Portland 96… The Jazz used a big second quarter to build a double-digit halftime lead and coasted past the Trail Blazers. Donovan Mitchell scored 19 points to lead a balanced scoring attack. Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 14 boards.

TONIGHT’S NBA SCHEDULE…
Washington is at Detroit…
Orlando hosts Phoenix…
Charlotte is at Brooklyn…
Atlanta hosts Indiana…
Toronto is at Miami…
Memphis hosts Cleveland…
Minnesota is at Chicago…
San Antonio hosts Denver…
New Orleans is at Dallas…
the L.A. Clippers host Sacramento